Threaded tubular end protector

ABSTRACT

A thread protector that has an external sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pin end of a tubular member. The thread protector also has flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to engage with the pin end of the tubular member. The thread protector further includes a securing apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an inside portion of the tubular member to maintain position of the thread protector on the tubular member. A method of protecting the pin threads of the pin ends of the tubular members. The method includes screwing the thread protector on the pin threads of the pin end of the tubular member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Applicationhaving U.S. Ser. No. 17,360,641, filed Jun. 28, 2021, which is aconversion of U.S. Provisional Application having U.S. Ser. No.63/045,317, filed Jun. 29, 2020, which claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. 119(e). The disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a thread protector for a threaded endof a unit of casing or tubing that can be quickly attached to andremoved from the unit of casing or tubing. The present disclosure alsorelates to a method of attaching or removing the thread protectors fromthe pin end of the units of casing or tubing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Casing and/or tubing have a pin end and a box end. The box end includesthreads inside, which are naturally protected by being disposed insidethe tubing or casing. The pin end has threads on the outside of thetubing or casing that are exposed and can be damaged. Currently, thereare protective devices for the pin end threads of the tubing or casingbut they take a considerable amount of time to put on the tubing orcasing and remove from the tubing or casing. When you multiply the timeit takes to put on or remove a typical protector device from the pin endthreads of multiple units of tubing or casing, it results in a largeamount of time. This large amount of time is taken directly fromproduction time of an oil or gas well.

Accordingly, there is a need for a thread protector for the threads ofthe pin end of the tubing or casing that can be more quickly placed onand/or removed from the pin end of the tubing or casing, but stillprotects all the threads of the pin end of the tubing or casing.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed toward a thread protector that has anexternal sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pin end of atubular member. The thread protector also has a flange disposed on afirst end of the external sleeve to engage with the pin end of thetubular member. The thread protector further includes a securingapparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an insideportion of the tubular member to maintain position of the threadprotector on the tubular member.

The present disclosure is also directed toward a method of protectingpin threads of pin ends of tubular members. The method includes screwingthe thread protector on pin threads of a pin end of a tubular member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a thread protector constructed inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the threadprotector constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of thethread protector constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the threadprotector constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of athread protector constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the thread protector shown in FIG. 4and constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of yet another embodiment of athread protector constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a thread protector 10 to guard orprotect threads 12 on a pin end 14 of a tubular member 16. The tubularmember 16 can be casing or tubing used in an oil and gas operation. Thetubular member 16 also includes a box end 18 opposite the pin end 14, aninternal side 20 and an external side 22. The box end 18 of the tubularmember 16 includes internal threads 24 disposed therein on the internalside 20 of the tubular member 16. The threads 12 disposed on theexternal side 22 of the pin end 18 of the tubular member 16 can be acertain number of threads or extend along a certain length of thetubular member 16.

The thread protector 10 includes an external sleeve 26 that is sized tofit around the external side 22 of the tubular member 16 and have alength that is at least as long as the length of the threads 12 disposedon the pin end 14 of the tubular member 14. The external sleeve 26 canhave an inner side 28, an outer side 30, a first end 32, and a secondend 34. The inner side 28 of the external sleeve 26 can include at leastone thread 36 to engage with the threads 12 disposed on the pin end 14of the tubular member 16.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the thread protector 10 canalso include a flange 38 inwardly directed in a radial direction fromthe first end 32 of the thread protector 10. The flange 38 is positionedso that the pin end 14 of the tubular member 16 can engage the flange 38to maintain the thread protector 10 in a protective position withrespect to the threads 12 on the pin end 14 of the tubular member 16. Inanother embodiment, an internal sleeve 40 can extend from an innerdiameter 42 of the flange 38 in the same direction of the externalsleeve 26 of the thread protector 10. The internal sleeve 40 is sized toextend back into the inside of the tubular member 16 to provideadditional structural support for the thread protector 10. In anotherembodiment, a plate 44 can be attached to the first end 32 of theexternal sleeve 26 instead of the flange 38 to prevent debris fromgetting inside the tubular member 16 when the tubular member 16 is notin use.

The inner side 28 of the external sleeve 26 of the thread protector 10can have any number of consecutive threads such that the threadprotector 10 can be quickly removed and/or replaced from the tubularmember 16. The threads 12 disposed on the inner side 28 of the externalsleeve 26 of the thread protector 10 are positioned close to the flange38 of the thread protector 10 so that when the thread protector 10engages with the threads 12 of the pin end 14, the threads 12 of thethread protector 10 only engage with the threads 12 at the end of thepin end 14 of the tubular member 16. If a limited number of the threadson the tubular member 16 are engaged to secure the thread protector 10thereto, then the reduction in time it would take to remove the threadprotector 10 from the tubular member 16, and the time it would take tosecure the thread protector 10 to the tubular member 16, when combinedfor numerous tubular members, would be significant.

In one embodiment, the number of threads 12 on the inner side 28 of theexternal sleeve 26 of the thread protector 10 can be less than tenthreads. In another embodiment, the number of threads 12 on the innerside 28 of the external sleeve 26 of the thread protector 10 can be lessthan eight threads. In a further embodiment, the number of threads 12 onthe inner side 28 of the external sleeve 26 of the thread protector 10can be less than 6 threads. In yet another embodiment, the number ofthreads 12 on the inner side 28 of the external sleeve 26 of the threadprotector 10 can be less than 4 threads. In another embodiment, thenumber of threads 12 on the inner side 28 of the external sleeve 26 ofthe thread protector 10 can be less than 3 threads. In a furtherembodiment, the number of threads 12 on the inner side 28 of theexternal sleeve 26 of the thread protector 10 can be less than 2threads.

The threads 12 on the pin end 14 of the tubular member 16 can extendalong a certain length of the tubular member 16. The engaged threads(threads extending from the end of the pin end of the tubular memberthat are engaged by the threads of the thread protector) extend acertain percentage of the length of all the threads 12 on the pin end 14of the tubular member 16. In one embodiment, the length of the engagedthreads are less than about 40 percent of the total length of all thethreads 12 on the pin end 14 of the tubular member 16. In anotherembodiment, the length of the engaged threads are less than about 30percent of the total length of all the threads 12 on the pin end 14 ofthe tubular member 16. In a further embodiment, the length of theengaged threads are less than about 25 percent of the total length ofall the threads 12 on the pin end 14 of the tubular member 16. In yetanother embodiment, the length of the engaged threads are less thanabout 20 percent of the total length of all the threads 12 on the pinend 14 of the tubular member 16. In an even further embodiment, thelength of the engaged threads are less than about 10 percent of thetotal length of all the threads 12 on the pin end 14 of the tubularmember 16. In another embodiment, the length of the engaged threads areless than about 5 percent of the total length of all the threads 12 onthe pin end 14 of the tubular member 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6 , shown therein is a thread protector 10 thathas a securing apparatus 46 that can extend inside the tubular member 16from the flange 38. The securing apparatus 46 can engage with the insideof the tubular member 16 to maintain position of the thread protector 10relative to the threads 12 of the pin end 14 of the tubular member 16.The securing apparatus 46 can have any size and shape such that itmaintains the thread protector 10 in place on the tubular member 16. Inone embodiment, the securing apparatus 46 can include a plurality offins 48 that extend from a central member 50. The fins 48 have outerportions 52 that can engage with the inner side of the tubular member16. The fins 48 have terminal ends 54 on the opposite ends from theflange 38. The outer portion 52 at the terminal ends 54 of the fins 48can be tapered so that insertion of the securing apparatus 46 of thethread protector 10 is easier to extend down into the tubular member 16.The length, width and height of the fins 48 can be varied such that thethread protector 10 functions as intended. The securing apparatus 46 canalso have any number of fins 48 such that the thread protector 10functions as intended. In various embodiments, the securing apparatus 46can have more than two fins 48, more than three fins 48, more than fourfins 48 or five or more fins 48.

In another embodiment shown in more detail in FIG. 6 , the securingapparatus 46 can have a first spoke end 58 that is attached to theflange 38, a second spoke end 60 that is separated from the first spokeend 58 via a rod member 62. The first and second spoke ends 58 and 60engage the inside of the tubular member 16 to hold the thread protector10 securely in place. The first spoke end 58 can have any desired numberof spokes 64 so that the thread protector 10 operates as intended.Similarly, the second spoke end 60 can have any desired number of spokes66 so that the thread protector 10 operates as intended. A portion ofthe outer surfaces 68 of the spokes 66 can be tapered to facilitateinsertion of the securing apparatus 46 into the tubular member 16. Thesecuring apparatus 46 can be used with our without the at least onethread 36 on the inner side 28 of the external sleeve 26 of the threadprotector 10. The spoke and fin designs of the securing apparatus 46allow for visual inspection of the inner part of the tubular member 16and cleaning of the inside part of the tubular member 16.

In yet another embodiment, the thread protector 10 can have a ridge orlip 70 disposed on an outer surface 72 of the external sleeve 26 closeto a terminal end 74 of the external sleeve. The ridge 70 allows forengagement by a band that can extend to the tubular member 16 to helphold the thread protector 10 in position, such as during transportationof the tubular members 16 to and from job sites or while the tubularmembers 16 are being stored. The band that can be used can extend aroundthe entire circumference of the thread protector 10 and the tubularmember. Primarily, ridge 70 prevents the band from sliding off of thethread protector 10 and the band prevents the thread protector 10 fromrotating off of the tubular member 16.

The present disclosure is also directed toward a method of removing thethread protectors 10 from the tubular members 16 and using the tubularmembers 16 in various oil and gas operations. The method is alsodirected towards securing the thread protectors 10 to the tubularmembers 16 that are being used in the oil and gas operations.

From the above description, it is clear that the present disclosure iswell-adapted to carry out the objectives and to attain the advantagesmentioned herein as well as those inherent in the disclosure. Whilepresently preferred embodiments have been described herein, it will beunderstood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished withinthe spirit of the disclosure and claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thread protector, the thread protectorcomprising: an external sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pinend of a tubular member; a flange disposed on a first end of theexternal sleeve to engage with the pin end of the tubular member; and asecuring apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage aninside portion of the tubular member to maintain position of the threadprotector on the tubular member, the securing apparatus comprises: aplate that extends within the flange; a central member that extends fromthe plate; and fin members that extend radially outward from the centralmember.
 2. The thread protector of claim 1 wherein the fin membersinclude a radial outward surface that frictionally engages with theinside portion of the tubular member.
 3. The thread protector of claim 2wherein the central member has three or more fin members that extendtherefrom.
 4. The thread protector of claim 1 wherein the securingapparatus includes a first spoke member supported by the flange or theplate, the first spoke member has spoke ends that can frictionallyengage the inside of the tubular member.
 5. The thread protector ofclaim 4 wherein the securing apparatus further includes a rod memberextending from the first spoke member to a second spoke member.
 6. Thethread protector of claim 5 wherein the second spoke member has a secondset of spoke ends that can frictionally engage with the inside of thetubular member.
 7. The thread protector of claim 6 wherein outer edges,radially and axially, of the second set of spoke ends are tapered toease insertion of the securing apparatus of the thread protector intothe tubular member.
 8. A method of protecting pin threads of pin ends oftubular members, the method comprising: screwing a thread protector onpin threads of a pin end of a tubular member, the thread protectorcomprising: an external sleeve to protect pin threads disposed on a pinend of a tubular member; a flange disposed on a first end of theexternal sleeve to engage with the pin end of the tubular member; and asecuring apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage aninside portion of the tubular member to maintain position of the threadprotector on the tubular member, the securing apparatus comprises: aplate that extends within the flange; a central member that extends fromthe plate; and fin members that extend radially outward from the centralmember.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the fin members include aradial outward surface that frictionally engages with the inside portionof the tubular member.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the centralmember has three or more fin members that extend therefrom.
 11. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the securing apparatus includes a first spokemember supported by the flange or the plate, the first spoke member hasspoke ends that can frictionally engage the inside of the tubularmember.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the securing apparatusfurther includes a rod member extending from the first spoke member to asecond spoke member.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the second spokemember has a second set of spoke ends that can frictionally engage withthe inside of the tubular member.
 14. The method of claim 13 whereinouter edges, radially and axially, of the second set of spoke ends aretapered to ease insertion of the securing apparatus of the threadprotector into the tubular member.